A complete series of meteorological observations were made from day to day with great care by Mr. Sohon over the whole line, from Fort Dalles to the Coeur d'Alene Mission and back; but no profile deduced from these observations is here appended: first, because it was not thought necessary; and, again, for the want of ample time to work up the observations.

They will go, however, to swell the data contemplated to be collected on the proposed line of the military road from Fort WallaWalla to Fort Benton at a future day.

With regard to the meteorology of the country during the campaign, it might be well to remark that the number of rainy days. was about one-fifth of the whole. We were delayed for two days, the 23d and 24th August, by heavy rain storms; and, as the narrative of the trip shows, we were often inconvenienced in travelling by heavy rains in July, August, and September. The prairie hills, which were burnt over in August, were covered with the young green grass putting forth beautifully by the last of September.

Our

The weather was generally mild and pleasant, except a few nights in the Coeur d'Alene mountains, but even then not uncomfortable. The table of latitudes, longitudes, and variations of the compass, which is appended to this report, were determined by Mr. Kolecki, Mr. Sohon, and myself, with as great accuracy as our instruments and means at hand allowed. Our sextant was one of Gambey's best, purchased of Blunt & Sons, New York, and which during the whole campaign worked in admirable adjustment. The latitudes were deduced principally from the meridian altitudes of the sun; at other times from Polaris, or north and south stars near the meridian. longitudes were chronometric; our chronometers being one pocket and two box, and two pocket watches. Our present chronometer was one received from the Topographical Bureau, which proved worthless, as did also the box chronometer, received from Lieutenant Wheeler. Our main reliance was upon a box chronometer hired from Mr. Tennent, and our pocket watches. This box chronometer was carried by hand from day to day with great care, enveloped in a leather case with stuffed cushions, over it again in a second case of sail cloth, made by Mr. Kolecki, who devoted himself zealously and assiduously to its care and the making of observations. Assuming our longitude of old Fort Walla-Walla, as that given by Captain Wilkes, of the United States navy, and for the reasons set forth hereafter, and platting our odometer survey back to Fort Dalles, we find that our longitude of that place falls between that given it by Colonel Frémont and that of Lieutenant Abbott. And, therefore, on our map we have given the longitude of Fort Dalles 120° 57' 48" W., and latitude 45° 35' 48" N.; and longitude of Fort Walla-Walla-the present new fort-118° 12' 36" W.. and latitude 46° 03' 18" N.

Lieutenant Abbott enjoyed superior advantages to either Colonel Frémont or ourselves, from the number of his chronometers, &c., and, therefore, his results are justly entitled to greater credit; but I still regard the question as to the position of Fort Dalles and Fort Cascades and Fort Vancouver as still open, and that merit a special set of observations, made with great care and under special advan

tages, that will go to settle definitely the doubt that now exists. regarding them, and that will enable future lines to take any one of them as fixed initial points.

In future explorations and surveys, therefore, in this quarter, special attention, with credit to the surveyor or explorer and advantage to the department, might be given to this subject.

We have assumed Wilkes' longitude as the basis for our work, and for the reason that his means and time for deducing it were, perhaps, better than our own. Our latitude differs from Wilkes' by 1' 12". The following letter from Captain Wilkes to Lieutenant Warren, of the army, who, when compiling a map of that region, addressed him a letter asking for the observation upon which these results were based, speaks for itself and shows what reliance may therefore be placed in them. Observations were made at old Fort Walla-Walla by the parties of Captain Wilkes in 1841, and again by Colonel Frémont in 1843, after his trip across the continent. But the advantages enjoyed by Captain Wilkes must have been so far superior to those of Frémont that, with all due respect to those of the latter, I think justice to a survey and to correctness dictate the adopting the results of Wilkes. The following letter, copied with the permission and kindness of Lieutenant Warren, shows what reliance Captain Wilkes placed upon the work of Lieutenant Johnston of the navy, who made the observations:

"WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., June 5, 1854. "DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 29th should have been answered sooner if I could have found the observations by which the position of Walla-Walla was determined.

The position assigned it is latitude 46° 02' 48" N., longitude 118° 47′ 45" W. The result of three days' observations deduced from chronometers, and these were made by Lieutenant Johnston, of the expedition, who had charge of the party, and even calculated my own observations of the rates. The position was also determined by bearings or angles on the three mountain peaks, which gave a very good result.

"I have always felt great confidence in these results. I gave them at the time a very careful examination, and think Lieutenant Johnston made them under favorable circumstances. Mr. Drayton, who also visited Walla-Walla in the survey of the river up to that point, agrees in his determination with Lieutenant Johnston at this point. Their observations were intended to serve as checks upon each other.

66

"I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieut. G. K. WARREN,

66

CHARLES WILKES, U. S. Navy.

Topographical Engineers, Washington, D. C.

"True copy:

"JOHN MULLAN,

"First Lieutenant, 2d Artillery, U. S. A."

A table of distances by odometer measurement is also appended to the report, which may be useful either for reference or for the future traveller. The report might have been much fuller had it been thought necessary; but I believe the character of the line of march and the country through which we were called upon to operate will be made sufficiently known by what has been said.

The expedition, which was planned, organized, and moved into the field against the hostile northern Indians by the prompt and wise plans of General Clark, assisted by his efficient staff, for the punishment of the Spokanes, Pelouses, and Coeur d'Alenes, was thus ended on the first day of October, 1858; and that it was ended, in the opinion of the officer commanding the campaign and with what results, his following official letter, on file in the War Department, sufficiently shows, and I therefore append it. I can only close my report by again returning my thanks to my assistants, Mr. Kolecki and Mr. Sohon, to whose zealous and untiring labors I am mainly indebted for anything of value that my report may contain.

To Captain Kirkham, assistant quartermaster, who was always ready and willing to co-operate with me, and to such officers and men, civil and enlisted, who, from time to time, throughout the campaign lent me their cordial assistance and co-operation, I would here return my sincere thanks.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN MULLAN,

First Lieut. 2d Artillery, Acting Top. Eng.

HEADQUARTERS EXPEDITION AGAINST NORTHERN INDIANS,

Camp on the Pelouse River, W. T., September 30, 1858.

SIR: The war is closed. Peace is restored with the Spokanes, Coeur d'Alenes and Pelouses. After a vigorous campaign the Indians have been entirely subdued, and were most happy to accept such terms of peace as I might dictate.

Results.

1. Two battles fought by the troops under my command, against the combined forces of the Spokanes, Coeur d'Alenes, and Pelouses, in both of which the Indians were signally defeated, with a severe loss of chiefs and warriors, either killed or wounded.

2. The capture of one thousand horses and a large number of cattle from the hostile Indians, all of which were either killed or appropriated to the service of the United States.

3. Many barns filled with wheat or oats, also several fields of grain, with numerous caches of vegetables, dried berries, and kamas, all destroyed or used by the troops.

4. The Yakima chief, Ow-hi, in irons, and the notorious war chief Qual-chian, hung. The murderers of the miners, the cattle stealers, &c., (in all eleven Indians) all hung.

5. The Spokanes. Coeur d'Alenes and Pelouses entirely subdued, and sue most abjectly for peace on any terms.

6. Treaties made with the above named nations; they have restored all property which was in their possession, belonging either to the United States or to individuals; they have promised that all white people shall travel through their country unmolested, and that no hostile Indians shall be allowed to pass through or remain among

them.

7. The delivery to the officer in command of the United States troops of the Indians who commenced the battle with Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe contrary to the orders of their chiefs.

8. The delivery to the officer in command of the United States troops of one chief and four men, with their families, from each of the above named tribes, to be taken to Fort Walla-Walla, and held as hostages for the future good conduct of their respective nations. 9. The recovery of the two mountain howitzers abandoned by the troops under Lieutenant Colonel Steptoe. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major W. W. MACKALL,

Assistant Adjutant General,

G. WRIGHT,

Colonel 9th Infantry, Commanding.

Headquarters Department of the Pacific, Fort Vancouver, W. T.